Gaming Flashback: Final Fantasy series

We take a look back at the finest titles in one of the best gaming series to have graced our consoles.

Final Fantasy (1987)

The first instalment in the Final Fantasy series was let loose upon the gaming world a whopping 25 years ago. It planted the RPG love in many a NES owner’s heart with a story that followed four light warriors in a quest to save the world from elemental fiends.

Creator Hironobu Sakaguchi planned to quit the games industry if Final Fantasy didn’t sell well – we for one are sure glad it did.

Final Fantasy IV (1991)

The landmark fourth instalment of the Final Fantasy series is thought by many a passionate pixel pusher to be one of the best games ever made. Its dramatic story and complex plot led gamers through a whirlwind of emotions, while the newly introduced Active Time Battles added a welcome dash of spontaneity and excitement to combat.

All in all, it's safe to say that what Ocarina of Time was for the N64, Final Fantasy IV was for the SNES.

Final Fantasy VII (1997)

Regarded by many fans to be the best game in the entire series, Final Fantasy VII was the first to offer 3D graphics (courtesy of the PlayStation’s pixel-pushing power) and was also the first to be released in Europe. The game sees you step into the shoes of Cloud Strife in an attempt to stop the evil Shinra megacorporation in the steampunk-inspired world of Gaia.

With more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, Final Fantasy VII more than earns its place among the best games ever made.

Final Fantasy X (2001)

Final Fantasy X’s graphics on the PlayStation 2 were truly mind blowing, with pre-rendered cut scenes that captivated and enthralled gamers, immersing them in the world of Spira.

This tenth instalment of the series introduced a new turn-based battle mechanic and the sphere grid character levelling system. The blitzball minigame alone captivated us for hours – without our even touching the main story.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 (2012)

The newest iteration in the series is a direct sequel to 2009’s Final Fantasy XIII and the extra processing grunt provided by both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have enabled Sqare Enix to serve up the best visuals seen in any Final Fantasy game to date.

Although the story – and the title – may be convoluted and bewildering for novices (as mentioned in our review), this latest iteration features an intricate battle system and polished audio and visuals. Here's to another 25 years of Final Fantasy!

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